You were faster, Rin!

No way! Len, you were!

Oh no...

Hm? What's going on? Why are you all gathered here?

Rin and Len were having a footrace, but they finished at the same time...

We couldn't tell who actually finished first...

That's why I'm telling you all, Rin definitely finished faster than I did...

Not true!
Len, you totally beat me by a nose!

That's odd. They're both saying that the other person finished first... Not many people argue for their opponent.

Well, in any case...
I'll watch, so why don't you two have a remat—

Oh. Hi, you guys...

Nene, welcome! Are you here by yourself?

Yeah...
I was hoping to go for a run here.

For a run?

I see. To increase your stamina...

Yeah, but today's practice went on for longer than I was expecting. It's gotten dark already...

So I was hoping that I could do my running here to be on the safe side. Mind if I do for a bit...?

That's fine, of course! We were just about to have a footrace of our own!

A footrace?

Yup! Nene, let's run it together!

We'd love to have you!

Thanks. I think I'll join you, then.

Great! As for your course...

You'll start at the teacups, run to the tent over there, turn around and come back. How does that sound?

Sounds good.

I'm not losing this time, Len.

Right back at you!

Then, on your marks...

Get set... Go!

Let's follow them!

Yeah!

What?! You're all going with them?!

I was planning on waiting here, but...
Hehe. In that case, I'll join you all♪

Huff...! Huff...!

This is rough... Right after practice too...

Huff...! Huff...!

Huff...! Huff...!

(Hmm... It wasn't meant to be a very long course, but they all look exhausted...)

(Nene's coming here right after practicing, while Rin and Len just did a run a second ago.)

(If any of them start to look like they're in trouble, maybe I should stop the...)

Oofie!!!

Oh no...!

You really took a tumble there. Are you okay?

Y-Yeah... I'm... Ow!
My leg... I think it's coming undone...

*Sob*
But I wanna keep running with everyone...

Don't worry! Here, I'll help carry you!
We can run until the end together like this!

Okay! Thanks...!

Thank goodness...

Huh...?

Let's keep going!

Yeah! Let's go, Len!

Okay! Plushies, you too!

Yeah!

Yeah!

And...!

We did it!

Yay! We all finished at the same time!

Huff... Huff... We really did it, Rin, Len.

Yeah! Working together like that was a lot of fun!

Hehe. We even stopped caring about who actually finished first or whatever.

Oh, does this mean you two have made up?

Thanks for running with me, everyone. I might've given up partway through if you guys weren't there with me.

Hehe. I feel the same♪

Me three!

Thanks for running with us, Plushies!

Thanks.

You're welcome!

Thank you too, MEIKO.
I feel better about myself now after actually finishing that run.

That's wonderful to hear!
Putting on stamina takes a lot of mental strength, so it's important to do it one step at a time!

Okay, I'll keep that in mind.

(I just suggested that footrace off the top of my head, but it all worked out in the end.)

(Must be because I'm always such a good girl♪)

Hehehe.